Homeland Security's $25.4M contract for Section Carolinas Deployment awarded to General Dynamics Decision Systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,362,616 ($25.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Decision Systems

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-12-18

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,843 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SCLIN 0007AA: SECTION CAROLINAS DEPLOYMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $25.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS for work described as: SCLIN 0007AA: SECTION CAROLINAS DEPLOYMENT. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in operational support. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 3. Long duration indicates a sustained need for the services provided. 4. Performance context is tied to U.S. Coast Guard operations. 5. Sector positioning within defense and public safety is evident. 6. Risk indicators are moderate given the contract's duration and scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.4 million over approximately 7.8 years suggests an average annual spend of around $3.25 million. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale operational support contracts for federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the duration and scope imply a substantial, ongoing requirement. The pricing would need to be assessed against detailed service delivery metrics and comparable industry rates for similar deployments.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of interested parties and the rigor of the evaluation process are not detailed. A competitive award process generally supports better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers and driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Coast Guard by providing essential deployment support. Services delivered likely include logistical, technical, or operational assistance for specific Coast Guard missions. Geographic impact is focused on areas relevant to the 'Section Carolinas' operations, potentially along the coast or related waterways. Workforce implications may involve specialized personnel for deployment and support, both within the contractor and potentially government personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Scope creep is a risk in long-term operational support contracts.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical deployment support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Contract awarded to a well-established defense contractor (General Dynamics).
Clear end date provides a defined period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense and government services sector, specifically supporting homeland security operations. The market for such services is characterized by large, established prime contractors capable of handling complex, long-term deployments. Spending in this area is driven by national security needs and the operational requirements of agencies like the Coast Guard. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale support contracts for federal maritime and security operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a major defense contractor, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary awardees. However, General Dynamics may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, with regular reviews and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Operations Support
U.S. Coast Guard Readiness Programs
Federal Maritime Security Contracts
Defense Logistics and Support Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for scope creep
Dependence on contractor performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $25.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS. SCLIN 0007AA: SECTION CAROLINAS DEPLOYMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-12-18. End: 2014-09-30.

What specific services were included under the 'SECTION CAROLINAS DEPLOYMENT'?

The provided data does not detail the specific services rendered under SCLIN 0007AA, 'SECTION CAROLINAS DEPLOYMENT.' However, given the awarding agency (U.S. Coast Guard) and the contractor (General Dynamics Decision Systems), it likely involved operational support, potentially including logistical planning, technical assistance, equipment deployment, or personnel support for Coast Guard missions in the Carolinas region. The contract's duration of over seven years suggests a sustained need for these services, possibly related to ongoing operational requirements, infrastructure support, or specific program deployments.

How does the $25.4 million contract value compare to similar U.S. Coast Guard deployment support contracts?

Direct comparison of the $25.4 million contract value is difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of similar contracts. However, for a contract spanning nearly eight years (2006-2014), the average annual spend of approximately $3.25 million is within the range for significant operational support initiatives within federal agencies. Large-scale deployment and readiness support contracts for agencies like the Coast Guard can range from millions to tens of millions annually, depending on the complexity, technology involved, and geographic reach. This contract appears to represent a substantial, but not exceptionally outlier, investment for sustained operational support.

What is General Dynamics Decision Systems' track record with similar federal contracts?

General Dynamics Decision Systems, as a subsidiary of General Dynamics, has a long-standing track record of providing complex solutions and services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Their expertise typically lies in areas such as command and control systems, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and mission support. While specific details of their performance on this particular $25.4 million contract are not provided, their general reputation suggests they are capable of handling large, complex federal contracts requiring significant technical and logistical support. Past performance reviews and contract databases would offer more granular insights into their specific project execution.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a deployment support contract awarded to a company like General Dynamics Decision Systems for the U.S. Coast Guard, KPIs would focus on aspects such as timeliness of deployment, operational readiness of supported systems or personnel, reliability of services provided, adherence to safety and security protocols, and cost-effectiveness. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would have outlined these measurable objectives, against which the contractor's performance would be evaluated throughout the contract's duration.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes during the execution of this contract?

Information regarding specific challenges or disputes during the execution of this $25.4 million contract is not available in the provided data. Large, long-term contracts can sometimes encounter issues related to scope changes, technical difficulties, or performance disagreements. However, the absence of readily available dispute data does not necessarily mean the contract was without challenges. It could indicate that any issues were resolved through standard contract management processes, or that such details are not publicly disclosed in summary contract databases. A deeper dive into contract modification history or agency performance reports might reveal more.

How did the $25.4 million spending compare to the U.S. Coast Guard's overall budget for similar operational support during that period?

Determining how the $25.4 million spending compares to the U.S. Coast Guard's overall budget for similar operational support requires access to historical Coast Guard budget allocations for the period of 2006-2014. This contract, averaging about $3.25 million annually, represents a specific investment in the 'Section Carolinas Deployment.' The Coast Guard's total budget encompasses a wide array of expenditures, including personnel, acquisitions, maintenance, and operational missions. Without detailed budget breakdowns for operational support categories, it's difficult to place this single contract's spending in a precise budgetary context relative to the entire agency's financial landscape.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,362,616

Exercised Options: $25,362,616

Current Obligation: $25,362,616

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTCG2302DNDRS02

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline